#DailyDevotion So What Would Ask From A Genie In A Bottle?
August 23rd
Read 1 Kng 3:1–15
1Ki 3:5-14 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” (6) And Solomon said, “… (9) Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” (10) It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. (11) And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, (12) behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. (13) I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. (14) And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”
If you found a genie in a bottle and you could have one wish what would you wish for? Probably something selfish, at least that would be your first thought. Solomon exhibits something in his answer that demonstrates he already possesses something of what he does ask God the Lord for, he asked for wisdom.
And Solomon doesn’t ask for this for himself but for the sake of the people he has been given to rule. What is the Lord’s response to his request? The Lord says He will deliver this wisdom to Solomon. Indeed Solomon will be wiser than any many who would follow after him. But we will see with Solomon that wisdom isn’t always what it is cracked up to be, though having wisdom generally is a good thing.
There is a wisdom which Solomon didn’t seem to pick up in his life. St. Paul talks about wisdom. This is what he has to say about it: 1Co 1:18-24 ESV For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (19) For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart…” (21) For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. (22) For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, (23) but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, (24) but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
Because Solomon asked for this thing and not selfish things the Lord decided to give to Solomon everything everyone else would normally ask for but Solomon didn’t. And the Lord makes the promise that if he would walk in the ways of the Lord, long life would be granted unto him. To tell you the truth, he didn’t seem to do that either. But this does teach us something about praying. We should not pray for selfish things. We should pray for things we know the Lord wants us to have. We should remember He is able and wants to do more than we can ask or imagine. He just wants us to trust Him.
Lord you granted Solomon anything he would have asked you for and what he had asked you for. Grant us similar faith to turn to you for all our necessities trusting that you will only give us those things which are good for us. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.